It’s normal to expect a washing machine to continue filling with water once it begins. Sometimes, however, a Whirlpool washer fills with water then stops, and you wonder why.
Generally, a Whirlpool washer may stop filling up due to the soak mode, a bad lid, cycle selector or water-level switch, defective inlet valve, obstructed tub, faulty drive motor, belt, or timer, or burnt heater or control module.
So, it’s often a component failure (apart from the soak mode and tub obstruction), and you’ve to find the broken-down part and fix it.
Though it looks complicated, it’s not. You can run the troubleshooting yourself, and this guide will; help you do that.
We’ll address the 11 issues and their fixes to enable you to determine what’s failing your Whirlpool washing machine.
Let’s get into it!
In a rush? See below the 11 reasons your Whirlpool washer may not be filling up to completion and their fixes.
A Summary of Why Your Whirlpool Washer Fills with Water Then Stops (Plus Fixes)
| – | Possible Reason | Relevant Fix |
| 1. | Soak Mode | Cancel the ‘soak mode’ to allow your washer to fill up properly |
| 2. | Bad Lid Switch | Replace the lid switch if the washer stops making noise when it stops filling, and the switch lacks continuity |
| 3. | Bad Cycle Selector Switch | Replace the cycle selector switch if the motor won’t run when you select a cycle, or the switch lacks continuity |
| 4. | Faulty Washer Level Switch | Replace the water-level switch if it lacks continuity |
| 5. | Defective Water Inlet Valve | Replace the water inlet valve if it’s worn out, clogged, or damaged |
| 6. | Obstructed Tub | Remove visible obstructions from the tub, pump, and drum lock |
| 7. | Faulty Drive Motor | Replace the drive motor if it’s bad |
| 8. | Faulty Drive Belt | Replace the drive belt if it’s loose, frail, or broken |
| 9. | Malfunctioning Timer | Consult a service technician to help you diagnose and fix a malfunctioning timer |
| 10. | Burnt Heater | Replace the washer heater if it won’t turn on or heat the water |
| 11. | Burnt Control Module | Change the control module as your last resort when nothing is wrong with the other components |
Why Does My Whirlpool Washer Fill with Water Then Stop?
Now, consider the 11 issues below if your Whirlpool washer fills with water and then stops:
1. You Might Have Selected the ‘Soak Mode’
Before you assume something dire is wrong with your Whirlpool washer, examine the cycle you are using. If the washer is on ‘soak mode,’ it will delay washing and most likely stop filling.
‘Soak mode’ allows the washer to start filling but doesn’t do it to completion until the ‘soaking’ cycle completes, which takes 15-30 minutes.
Fix
Check to see if you’ve selected ‘soak mode.’ If yes, cancel it by pressing ‘cancel’ or ‘pause’ and then choose a new cycle.
2. The Lid Switch Might Be Bad – It Makes the Lid Appear Open
If you have a Whirlpool top loader, this is one thing you’ve to check first. These washers, like every other, won’t agitate or complete a wash cycle if they detect an open lid.
Yes, your washer’s lid is probably closed, but if its lid switch is bad, the machine will see the lid as open and will stop filling up with water.
Fix
Before you can rule the lid switch to be bad, you should confirm it first. Does your washer stop making any noise once it stops filling? If yes, the chances are that the lid switch is faulty.
You can, however, cast doubt aside by testing the switch with a multimeter. If it doesn’t show continuity, that’s an indicator that it’s bad. Hence, replace it.
3. The Cycle Selector Switch Might Be Equally Bad
The next switch to inspect for fault is the cycle-selector switch. This switch controls the drive motor’s speed. So, if it goes bad, the motor may not run, and your Whirlpool washer will stop filling up with water.
Fix
You can inspect the cycle selector for faults using a multimeter. If the switch doesn’t show continuity, it’s likely bad, and so you should replace it.
Also, you can tell if the switch is faulty if the motor doesn’t run when you select a new cycle.
4. The Pressure Switch or Water-Level Switch Could Be Faulty
Another switch likely to interfere with your washer filling is the pressure switch, sometimes known as the water-level switch. This switch generally controls the washer’s water level.
If it’s defective, the washer is unable to continue filling. What’s more, the power supply to the drive motor is cut, and the motor stops running.
Interestingly, sometimes a faulty water-level switch causes the washer to overfill.
Fix
A multimeter also comes in handy when checking the water-level switch for fault. If this switch won’t show continuity, it’s likely to be faulty. Thus, replace it.
5. The Water Inlet Valve Could Be Defective
The washer inlet valve’s job is to allow the tub to fill up with water necessary for the rinsing and washing cycles. This valve is electronically operated and receives commands from the control module/board.
If the water starts to fill up and stops, there is a chance that the inlet valve is defective.
Fix
Start by inspecting the water inlet valve to see if it’s dirt-clogged, worn out, or damaged. If it is, replace it.
And since it’s electronically controlled, you can test its terminals with a multimeter. A negative continuity result shows that the water inlet valve is flawed and thus requires a replacement.
6. The Tub Could Be Obstructed
Foreign objects within the tub and around the drum lock could stop the washer from filling up once it starts to do so. In most cases, these obstructive elements interfere with the washer filling up.
You also need to check the pump, as an obstruction will likely disrupt the filling process.
Fix
Remove any obstructing items from the tub, drum lock, and pump. And if the washer still won’t fill up, try resetting it and if that is still futile, call a service guy.
7. The Drive Belt Could Be faulty
A Whirlpool washer won’t agitate if the drive belt is faulty. This particular belt turns by the action of the drive motor to enable the washer to complete a specific cycle.
You can locate the drive belt behind the drum’s sidewalls, and you should inspect it for frailness, cracks, breakages, and looseness.
Fix
Replace the washer belt if it shows any frailness, cracking, breaking, or looseness.
Other Reasons Whirlpool Washer Fills with Water But Stops
8. The Drive Motor Might Be Faulty
The drive motor drives the operations of the washing machine. The motor specifically drives the drive belt, which moves the drum and allows your washing machine to run.
Unfortunately, the drive belt wears off over time, especially its brushes, resulting in irregular running. Once the water starts to run irregularly, it’s unable to fill up completely.
Fix
Consider checking the drive motor to see if it’s working. You can unplug the washer and try moving the motor with your hand. If the motor won’t turn, it’s likely to be faulty.
Remember, you can always ask for an expert’s help if you cannot diagnose a malfunctioning drive motor.
9. The Washer Timer Could Be Malfunctioning
The motor generally relies on the timer’s signal to turn and facilitate an agitation. If this signal doesn’t arrive because of a malfunctioning timer, the motor won’t run, and if it is already running, it will stop.
That again paralyzes the filling up process.
Fix
Talk to a service technician who can help you diagnose and fix a malfunctioning washer timer.
10. The Heater Could Be Burnt
Under proper working conditions, the washer heater turns on when the washer starts filling up. It then heats the water to a certain temperature threshold.
But once the heater burns, it’s unable to do that. Instead, it hinders the filling process, so you should also inspect it to determine if it’s faulty, burnt, or not.
Fix
You can know if you have a burnt heater if it won’t turn on or heat the water. In this case, the washer won’t fill up until completion. If so, then replace the heater.
11. The Control Module Could Equally Be Burnt
The other component that could burn and prevent the washer from filling up 100% is the control module (or control board).
Remember, the control module is the center of the washer’s activity. It issues the right signals to other components to enable them to run, including filling with water.
So, if none of the other issues is wrong with your Whirlpool washer but it won’t fill up, consider replacing the control module. Of course, other functions will likely malfunction when the module goes bad.
Some people, however, consider getting a new Whirlpool washer once the control module fails since its replacement cost is high.
Whirlpool Washer Stopped Working Full of Water
If your Whirlpool washer has stopped working and is full of water, that indicates a drainage problem. The water is not draining, and that could be because of any of these issues:
- Faulty or Clogged Drain Pump
If the drain pump is broken or blocked by dirt or clothing pieces, it won’t pump out water from the tub. So, the tub will remain full of water.
Fix – Consider removing any drain pump obstruction and cleaning it properly. And if the pump is broken or its components are, replace it.
- Blocked drain hose
The drain hose may block due to dirt clogging, bending, or kinking. All these issues prevent proper drainage.
Fix – Inspect the drain hose and clean it if it’s dirt-clogged, or stretch it out if it’s bent or kinked.
- Faulty lid switch
A faulty lid switch doesn’t just abort the water-filling process but can also prevent drainage. So, inspect it for obstruction or defectiveness (using a multimeter).
Fix – Remove any obstruction and replace the switch if it has no continuity.
In Conclusion – Why Does Your Whirlpool Washer Fills with Water Then Stops?
As shared, several reasons could stop your Whirlpool washing machine from filling up with water. In most cases, the issue surrounds a faulty or malfunctioning component.
In such a case, the top considerations include the lid, pressure or cycle selector switch, the drive belt or drive motor, water inlet valve, timer, heater, or control module. You, however, cannot overlook an obstructed tub or wrong cycle.
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